Princess Half-Marathon Travel Outfits!

When I signed up for the Princess Half-Marathon last June, I knew this would be no small ordeal. If I was going to travel hundreds of miles to run two races, you better believe I was going to go all out, and that's exactly what I've done, even down to my pre and post-race attire!

In proper blogger fashion, when I knew I was looking for something super cute and creative, I headed straight to Etsy! In a matter of moments, I'd found a multitude of running tanks, t-shirts and tutu's! That's right! As these races, (and wearing running costumes in general,) have gotten more popular, just about any type of running costume can be custom made for you and bought online. I'm making my actual race costumes myself, but for my pre and post-race attire, Etsy had exactly what I was looking for!

After browsing through many different shops, I knew that I wanted two tank tops, one to wear on the plane going to Disney, and another for the plane ride home! I was looking for something running related, that looked like me (and if possible) stuck with my Run Disney theme. Here are just a few that I liked!

Which running tank is your favorite?

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How cute are those?! Even though I loved these five, I decided in the end to stick with a Disney-themed tank, that went along with my other costumes for the weekend! 

My picks!

I ordered this tank in turquoise since I'll be dressing up as Cinderella for the half-marathon on Sunday!

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I also ordered this Minnie-themed tank top, since I plan to be Minnie for our 10K on Saturday! On mine, the decal will be red to match my black and red tutu for the race!

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I was already so excited for this race, but these race outfits make things even better! One month from now I'll be in Disney running through the Magic Kingdom. I can't wait!

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Let's Go 2014!

As I get older, I get more and more selective as to what my goals are for the year ahead. This is mostly a result of making sure my heart is 100% committed to whatever I'm proclaiming that I'll do in the next year. As an extremely goal-oriented person, if I decide I want to do something, then I'm going to do whatever it takes to make it happen. After brainstorming many things that I'd like to do in 2014, these are the five that feel closest to my heart.

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Be Brave.

This means so many things for me, but most of all, it means going out on a limb, taking a chance and doing something because I truly believe in it. Though I'm a very independent, goal-driven person, there are times that I've stepped back in a situation, when I really should be leaning in, moving forward and embracing the opportunity for success.

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Get Back to New York City.

When I left New York in November, I'm fairly sure I left my heart behind. I want to be back so badly, and not even to do anything in particular, just to walk around, get lost, eat and explore. I love the people, the places, the noises, and the smells, and will be back as soon as I can get there!

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Be in Love with My Apartment.

Though I love where I live, I am not in love with the way my apartment looks. I've been trying to update a little at a time, so it's getting there slowly but surely. By the end of 2014, I want to have my apartment exactly the way I want it!

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Go on a Trip with My Dad.

My family goes on vacation together each year, and ever so often, my Mom and I go on little trips on our own (like the one to Disney this February.) Never in my 23 years, have my Dad and I gone on a trip just the two of us. That's why this year, we're making it a point to go on a trip together! I can't wait to find out where we're going. I'm hoping for somewhere fun like D.C, Chicago, or San Francisco, but it's totally up to him! I know this trip will include memories to last a lifetime.

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Four goals, twelve months, 365 days.

Let's go 2014.

Interested in last year's goals? Read Let's Go 2013 here!
All images can be found on my Pinterest.

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Lilly Pulitzer Mobile Charger Review

One of my favorite gifts this Christmas was a complete surprise. It was the kind of gift that you have no idea is coming, but then once you have it, you wonder how you ever lived without it! 

Allow me introduce the Lilly Pulitzer Mobile iPhone Charger!

This cute techy item will fit in the palm of your hand, and now, I won't leave home without it! Though I may have had my iPhone for going on two years, a car charger is something that I never invested in. Now that I have a Lilly mobile charger, I'm no longer forced to drive with a dying battery, or pull my charger out between classes or appointments. Believe me, all of the above has actually happened. This mobile charger is a complete lifesaver! 

Just like other brand new tech devices, you'll need to charge the charger right after removing it from the package. It normally takes about an hour to get from zero to 100% battery. This can be done by plugging the USB cord (included in the package) into your computer, and the other side of the cord into the actual charger. When the mobile charger has reached a full battery, the LED bar on the back will be completely lit and not flashing. 

Plug the mini USB side of the pink cord here!

The regular USB end of the cord should hook directly into your laptop or iPhone wall charger. The bar on the back side of the charger will flash, until charging is complete.

Once you see a full, non-flashing light, the mobile charger is ready to be slipped into your purse, backpack, car, etc.! 

In order to charge your iPhone with the mobile charger, you'll need to remove the lid...

and connect the mini USB to the charging port on your phone! 

When the charger has a full battery, it can charge your iPhone up to 80%. 80% can go a long way, especially if you're out on your own with a battery in the red! For your added convenience, Lilly has connected the lid to the charger by a small cord, so it can be snapped right back on after each use!

This little piece of mobile heaven measures 2 3/4"W x 1 3/4"H. For the socially-connected girl on the go, a Lilly Pulitzer mobile charger is a must-have! You can order it online for just $38.00. Believe me, this product is super cute and so worth it!

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A Weekend of Great Shopping!

We've all had weekends of going shopping and having absolutely no luck, or the opposite (and maybe even worse,) going shopping with no money, and falling in love with everything! Either way, this past weekend, the stars aligned for me, and I was able to do some great, affordable shopping! I was so happy with the items that I picked up, I knew I had to share them with all of you!

Grad School Books:

Not that this is exciting by any means, but getting the whole buying books thing out of the way for the semester felt good, and I spent $15 less on Amazon than I would have in the school bookstore. Can I get a amen?!

Princess Half-Marathon Costume Accessories:

For my upcoming race weekend in Disney World, I'm dressing up as Minnie Mouse and Cinderella. This weekend I was able to pick up the crown and sports bra for my Cindy outfit! I also purchased extra tulle at Michael's to finish up my race tutus!

Cinderella Crown

The VS Player sports bra in Pool Blue Solid

Stationery:

While at Michael's getting tulle with Danielle, she spotted some of the cutest stationery for super cheap. I'm talking 50 cents cheap! We also found two more sets that I loved for only $1.50 a piece. For someone that sends snail mail like I do, this was an awesome deal!

Swimsuit:

Just in case you missed yesterday's post, I snagged a new bathing suit at Victoria's Secret that I absolutely love! The top is on backorder until March, but works perfectly for me, since I won't need it until summer!
Leopard Bow Bandeau

TJ Maxx Coasters and Notepad:

For me, TJ Maxx is always hit or miss, but this time, it was most definitely a hit! I bought the cutest coasters and a "Make It Happen" notepad that have already found homes on my mirrored coffee table in the living room!

Old Navy:

My last stop of the weekend, was a quick trip to Old Navy. I was over the moon when I found out that Old Navy has gone nautical! Navy and red and white, oh my! Not only did I find the cutest, and I mean CUTEST sail boat sweater, but I also scooped up my two very first pairs of yoga pants for just $10.00 each. A home run for sure! The yoga pants are headed to Disney with me in February. They will be the perfect post-race attire!

What about y'all? Do any shopping this weekend?

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Victoria's Secret Swim 2014!

Every year at about this time, I start to feel the pull…

The pull toward sunshine, warmer weather, the pool, sand, and beach! It starts getting really chilly where I live around the middle of October, so by January, I've had my fill of winter coats and snow. With that said, I'm lusting for warmer temperatures and the always perfect, Victoria's Secret swimwear line for this year. I couldn't help but take a peak this week, and there may or may not be one fabulous suit coming my way!

How cute are these swimsuits?

The Lei Bandeau

The Push-Up Triangle Top

The Pink Wrap-Around Halter

...and my new swimsuit for 2014!

The Leopard Bow Bandeau!

I'm a sucker for a big bow, especially on a bathing suit, and this one takes the cake! A perfect bow paired with leopard print is right up my alley! I didn't care for the bottoms that VS had with it in the photo, so I ordered the ruched hipkini bottoms below, offering a little more coverage for half the price!

Ruched Hipkini Bottom in Little Leopard

I know it might seem a bit early to be thinking about bikinis and fruity drinks with umbrellas, but you never know when a spur of the moment trip could pop up, and this way, I'll be completely prepared!

Anyone else already bathing suit shopping?

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New Year's Cards with Shutterfly!

I love snail mail, and the only thing I love more than receiving it, is sending cute little surprises to my friends and family. That's why, when I didn't have time to send Christmas cards this year, it broke my heart! 

Last year, Paisley and I had the cutest Christmas cards, and it ended up being one of my favorite pictures of us to date!

This Christmas, I was so busy with Commencement, work and exams of my own, we didn't have time to take a picture at all. I had completely ruled them out as a possibility, until my friend Marcia suggested I send out New Year's cards! I absolutely love New Year's, and thought this was the perfect idea for us! With a card for literally everything these days, I knew I'd have no problem finding one that I could use. 

On the Saturday after Christmas, Paisley and I got all dressed up for my Mom to take our New Year's card picture. NYE is one of my favorite holidays because it revolves around champagne, confetti and dresses. What better time to send a card?! I wore my New Year's dress that I bought in New York with Lilly Pulitzer gold Resort Chic Wedges, while Pais modeled her pink and green Christmas sweater and gold bead necklace! There's no such thing as being plain around our house!

After the photo was done, it was time to choose a card! You'd think Shutterfly made the gold glitter New Year's card that I ended up picking just for me! It was perfect! Once I chose my favorite photo and card, my Mom went to town on fixing up everything else.

Our 2014 New Year's Card!

 Of course, I had to do the back as well!

I think they have Melody written all over them! Though I didn't get to send out my usual Christmas cards, I'm so glad that 50 of my closest friends and family got this fun little card to brighten up their 2014! My Mom was also able to find the cutest matching gold glitter return address labels! Thanks Mama for all your help!

Did you send Christmas/New Year's cards this year?

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I Joined a Gym!

For those of you that follow me on Twitter, you may have seen that last Sunday afternoon, I decided to join a nearby gym. My first gym membership ever! 

Don't get me a wrong, I was a member of the YMCA in high school, where my friends and I went to hang out and get on the elliptical, but it was only for a short time and my parents paid for it.

 Then there's my membership to the gyms on campus. As a staff member, one of our perks is to have access to the on-campus gyms for super cheap, I'm talking $4/month! Sounds fab right? The only downfall is that the gyms function on a student schedule, so when students aren't here, and work is slow (i.e. Melody is going out of her mind with boredom,) these facilities are closed... thus completely defeating the purpose of paying $50/year to go! 

This past Saturday, I felt like the only person in town. I couldn't find the motivation to do anything, and even when I did have the desire to get to the gym and run, I couldn't because they're closed until January 13th! With a half-marathon less than 7 weeks away, and the Boone temps not getting any warmer, this was so frustrating! I decided right then and there that I was going to do something about it.

I started researching, something I always do before making a big decision, and the Wellness Center in town was the first place that came to mind! My friend Danielle had recently joined, and I had only heard great things. The Wellness Center works alongside the Boone hospital, with all types of physical therapy accommodations, but also functions as a gym for those that want to join. I like it because it's super nice, clean and I don't have to fight the masses of Appalachian to take a class, or get on a treadmill. Plus, deciding to join here, along with so many other permanent Boone residents gives me more stability. I feel like I'm actually putting down roots in a place that I'll be living at least for the next year and a half.

On Sunday afternoon, I marched in (having never been inside before,) and asked for a tour. They obliged, and guided myself and another lady around the building. She didn't have much to say, but I asked enough questions for the both of us. I wanted to know exactly why paying $52/month (the membership to join as one) was worth it! I love that they open at 5:30AM, are a quick two-minute drive from my apartment and offer a ton of classes! By the end, I was feeling super confident, and after finding out that setting up a direct draft from my bank account each month wiped the $60 joining fee, they were talking my language!

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I officially belong to a gym! Yeee!

I even got up yesterday, on the first day of my new job at ASU, and made it to the gym by 6:10AM. I couldn't believe that there was already a whole parking lot full of people there! It felt so good to leave at 7, knowing that my workout for the day was already done. 

Though I didn't get out this morning, with temperatures well into the negative, Danielle and I are going this evening to workout and maybe even take a class! No one else is going to get me ready for my impending half-marathon, or bikini season but me!…and just in case you're interested, here are my workouts from yesterday morning, along with a 1.5 mile run!

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Have you been upping your fitness in the new year? 

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The End of an Era!

It's unreal how quickly today came and went!
Today was my last day in my first real job.

I remember my first day in the Registrar's Office. I got up super early knowing that my outfit choice that morning was especially important. It was a fairly chilly November day, and I arrived in the parking lot of my new office around 7:40AM. Little did I know, most people don't come in until right at 8:00, so instead of being greeted with the smiling faces of new co-workers, it was a locked door and office suites with the lights still off from the night before that met me…definitely a snap back to reality! I can also remember attending my first staff meeting, getting my first glowing customer service review and receiving my first set of business cards. Though at the time these things seemed so trivial, these are the moments and the memories, that made this job what it was, amazing.

It's also these experiences that make leaving this office so hard, but as of this coming Monday, I'll be taking on a whole new adventure! I'm packing up my things and moving across the street to the Chancellor's Office to work as an Executive Assistant. As many of you know, my passion lies in events, and doing anything from weddings to commencement ceremonies is right up my alley. In this new position, I'll be working hands on with the events that the Chancellor's Office hosts and is involved in on a daily basis, as well as an assortment of other things! I am so so excited! With a new job comes new people, places, and all types of things to learn, so I absolutely can't wait!

I've even been working on my new desk!

In honor of my move, my sweet co-workers put together a little party this afternoon. I am so thankful for these amazing friendships!

 Beautiful flowers from the office!

 

 

With all this in mind, though I'm only going across the street, it seems as though it's the end of an era! The end of my very first "big girl" job, and the start of something completely new! Cheers to 2014 and this amazing adventure!

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A Fabulous New Year's Eve!

As I sit here writing my first post of 2014, I can hardly believe that 2013 has come and gone! It feels like just yesterday I was moving back to Boone, starting my career at Appalachian and training for my first 5K race.

Now, one year later, so much has changed! I just accepted a new job at ASU, I'm settled in (and getting ready to re-decorate) my not-so-new apartment and I'm training for my SECOND half-marathon! To be completely honest, I think 2013 may have been my best year yet! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store!

In order to properly say goodbye to 2013 and ring in the new year in style, my friend Danielle and I had quite the time celebrating last night! Of course, it wouldn't be worth writing about without a fabulous dress, and you better believe I had one of those! The dress that I chose to wear is probably my favorite dress of ALL TIME, coming in just ahead of my birthday dress from this year. It was amazing!!!

I picked up this little piece of Heaven at H&M in Times Square during my trip to New York City. Believe me, if I could jet off to New York before every big event, I absolutely would! H&M in NYC is a completely different caliber than the stores we have here, and I could totally get used to that kind of shopping.

After an array of possibilities of where I wanted to celebrate this year, I ended up in Boone for yet another New Year's Eve. I was here last year as well, and had the most wonderful time! Danielle and I made reservations at a restaurant nearby, and had a fabulous time enjoying good food and yummy dessert! She chose key lime pie, while I had to try the cookies and cream cheesecake.

After dinner, we made our way back to my apartment to finish up getting ready and snap a few photos. We had way too much fun posing around my apartment and toasting with pink champagne! I paired my over the top pink dress with gold Lilly Pulitzer Resort Chic heels, a NYE feather headband and Kate Spade pearl bow earrings.

I'm a tad obsessed with this candid photo that Danielle got of me getting ready last night!

Danielle wore a strapless dress with a black sequin top and red bodice, paired with black beaded sandals and black statement earrings. So sassy!

Around 10:45, we made our way to a bar in Boone called Char, to start the countdown to midnight. We even ran into a few familiar faces! It was so much fun! Cheers to another successful New Year's Eve in Boone!

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